Season Update and Match Reports Week September 1st and September 4th

Thanks to the AUTC Coaches who have provided match reports and season updates for their teams.

Women’s A - Jaguars

The Womens A side have done extremely well for a side with only 9 players  on the books .. The Jaguars have been challenged once or twice this season  but have always gotten over the line in the end .. The basic game plan has been to drive mid-link in their defending half then once they hit halfway fade to the other side going into link options (which we cover at training)

Men's B - Tigers

The Tigers are AUTC's second men's team and includes a mix of new-comers and more experienced players.  While it was originally intended that this team play in the second division, the small number of teams entered in division 1 this season resulted in the Tigers being pushed up to play against some of the best players in the State. 
 
While this presented a steep learning curve for the team, a willingness of the guys to step up and play hard aggressive touch has resulted in some very strong team performances and hard-fought wins leaving us in 4th place on the ladder with a strong chance of making the semi-finals.

Thursday Mixed A AUTC Cougars

The Cougars are traveling pretty well at the moment sitting second on the A-grade ladder faltering only to the other Uni Side. The team has at times played inspired touch generating gorgeous touchdowns coming from free flowing play with lots of lateral movement. At other times it has played mediocre and stifled touch. When the team has been talking the defense has been first class throughout the season. An opportunity to play in a grand final awaits the team if they wish to get there and if they play at their best a premiership could result.

AUTC Cougars v AUTC Cheetahs

The Cougars came out hard and score their first touch down in the opening set of 6 and continued with that momentum for the next 10 minutes controlling the way that the game was being played. The Cheetahs began to work into the game more and more as the half progressed. The second half saw the tiring minds and legs of the cougars match up against the switched on and energetic opposition. A couple of defensive errors against good attack and some flat and uninspired driving caused the early lead to dwindle and be lost. The team went down 6-4. The Cougars showed how good they can play in this match, if they remember that and build on it, the season looks very good

Best players: Britt and Alex

Thursday Mixed E/F AUTC Ocelots

Ocelots vs Armageddon
Ocelots Won
Score: 4 vs 1
Scorers: DY, Owen, Steve, Ainslie
 
Facing off against the number one team in the division, the Ocelots were keen to show some evidence of their potential, only glimpsed of in previous games. From the first siren, the Ocelots came out fighting with some great rucking. Two minutes into the game, DY pulled out this awesome step and ran half way down the field to score and from that moment onwards,  there was no stopping the Mighty O's... Owen with his trademark switch (timed to perfection), Steve on the line with a step and score (who knew he could do that?), and Ainslie, with a great score on the wing, beautifully assisted by Darren and Bel.
 
All in all, it was a good, fun game which the team never really looked like loosing. The Ocelots have really started playing up to their potential over the last few weeks and we're looking forward to a strong finish to the Winter season.

Thursday Mixed E/F Grade - Lynx

The Lynx's play in the 3rd division of the Mixed completion.  While the team has always had some good attacking and dynamic players, the main improvement in our game this season has been through our ability to play a more team focused game.  Through combining better with each other we have greatly improved our ability to get the ball up the field, cover one another in defence and create space for teammates out wide.  The Lynx's are placed in the top half of the division despite the big step up in the standard that most players had previously played.  I look forward to watching their continued improvement into the future.

Thursday Mixed I Grade - AUTC Wild Cats
 
The AUTC Wild Cats started the season in H-grade with a team consisting of a lot of new players, a few youngsters, and some more experienced players returning from spells from the game.  As with all AUTC teams, we took the first few weeks to come to know our team mates, to learn the game a bit better and to build our confidence on the field.  We suffered a few losses early – and the odd win too – and in the redraw were shuffled down a division.  But after this the team has never looked back!  As everyone picked up a bit of game experience skills improved, talk amongst players increased with significant improvements in both defence and attack, and the team now confidently takes the field, backs each other up and looks to set up opportunities to score.  AUTC Wild Cats are now positioned 3rd on the ladder having tallied up 5 consecutive wins and counting! 
 
Last week’s game (4/9/08) saw the AUTC Wild Cats defeat The Griffins, 5-2.